City to develop plan for development, housing

Thursday

Nov 7, 2013 at 9:05 AM

Under this plan, the City of Stuttgart has identified the shortage of affordable rental and home ownership housing as critical.

Leigh Hahn-Kreimeier @SDL_Leigh

The City of Stuttgart has now entered into an agreement of sorts to face one of its hurdles in economic growth — affordable housing. The council approved a resolution to develop a plan of action for economic development and revitalization.

Under this plan, the City of Stuttgart has identified the shortage of affordable rental and home ownership housing as critical. Officials will now be working with developers to provide affordable housing.

“The City of Stuttgart will work with developers in identifying, and in some cases assist with securing various state, local and federal funds to assist with the development of certain parcels of land in the city,” the resolution reads.

This was the first step in bringing in a possible apartment complex under the name Brownstone. No further discussion occurred on where or when the complex would be built as the resolution had to be approved to begin to move forward.

By addressing this impediment the city will be in a stronger position to continue economic development efforts. The plan includes:

• assist in identification of eligible properties for development;

• assist in identification of available funds for development;

• allow access to infrastructure improvements at reduced costs where feasible; and

• work with local banking partners and state and federal agencies in identifying funding sources to assist private developers in their development efforts.

During the first monthly meeting Tuesday, the council also approved the street closure for the annual Christmas Parade. The closing had been approved by both Stuttgart Police Chief Mike Smith and Stuttgart Fire Chief Billy Burns.

Executive Vice President of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Stephen Bell requested Main Street from First to 22nd be closed starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9. The parade’s rain delay date is set for the same time on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The theme for this year's parade is "A Traditional Christmas." All businesses, churches, clubs, organizations and schools are invited to participate. Commercial vehicles may enter the parade to advertise a business, however commercial entries must be decorated. For more information or to enter a float or vehicle in the parade, contact the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce at (870) 673-1602. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated floats.

A third agenda item was added for another street closure. Wade Hobbs requested that Main Street from Fourth to Sixth be closed beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, for Stop the Violence community meeting.

Hobbs said a rally had been recently held in Stuttgart, but this meeting will take place to form ideas on how the community can come together. Hobbs said with recent break-ins, homicides and shootings residents need to come together. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at the Stuttgart Stage and is open to the public.

In other business:

• Stuttgart Alderman Jim Craig asked Stuttgart Police Department Assistant Chief Steven Bobo for an update on the recent shooting at 18th and Main. Bobo was unable to give an update on the two victims’ condition, but said no arrests had been made in the case. Also, no arrests have been made in the recent break-in of a an elderly couple’s home on Hastings Street. Bobo said since they had “beefed up” efforts on the weekends approximately 13 arrests had been made over the recent weekends.

• Stuttgart City Council member Norma Strabala said she has been in contact with Neighborhood Watch officials. Maynard asked that Strabala and Bobo work together on getting the program re-established in Stuttgart.

• Stuttgart Street Department Director Jim Bradshaw said the street sweeper has been out in Stuttgart neighborhoods and will continue. Maynard reminded residents that “company will be coming to town.” The Wings Over the Prairie Festival brings in many visitors to Stuttgart and she asked residents to clean up, pick up and possibly mow and weed eat their properties.

• Stuttgart Alderman Joe Alexander Jr. asked whose responsibility it is to weed eat around fire hydrants. Maynard said the homeowner or property owner is responsible for the upkeep of the grass on the property.

The next Stuttgart City Council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Stuttgart City Hall, located at 304 S. Maple Street. To have an item added to the agenda contact Stuttgart City Clerk Mitri Greenhill at (870) 673-3535. The meetings are open to the public.